Fuller and Cascio Win Ballina Junior Masters
(1:00PM - Monday 10th July 2023)
Hollie Fuller (Grafton) has claimed victory with a par in the first playoff hole, while Sam Cascio's (Bonnie Doon) Junior Masters winning streak continues, finishing one under par.
Fuller began the final round only one shot ahead of Sienna Clarke (St Michael's), the two juniors broke away early from the rest of the field. Clarke took the lead with back to back birdies on the 4th and 5th holes. However, Fuller clawed it back and remained calm on the final hole, with the junior from Grafton getting up and down out of the greenside bunker for par to force a playoff.
Clarke and Fuller could not be separated all tournament and it was going to require extra holes to get a result. It was advantage to Fuller after she found the fairway down the 10th, putting herself in prime position to close out with the same putt she had earlier in the round for par.
Sam Cascio has added another win to his growing list of accolades. The Illawarra junior from Boonie Doon has gone wire to wire, finishing the tournament as the only player to go under par. After claiming victory at Macarthur and then backing it up only a week later at the CHS Championships. Cascio's purple patch has extended into July, closing out in style on the 18th by sticking a wedge to 4 ft and sinking his birdie putt.
Blake Cranston (Toukley) cruised to victory in the Boys 13 Years, while Bella Zhong (Burleigh) won by five shots in the Girls 13 Years. The Ballina local, Franceska Payne took out the Girls 14 & 15 Years and Ben Adams (Coolangatta Tweed Heads) was victorious in the Boys 16 & 17 Years.
Cascio and Adams Share Lead While Fuller Edges Clarke for the Overnight Lead
(3:30pm - Sunday 9th July 2023)
Sam Casico (Bonnie Doon) and Sam Adams (Coolangatta Tweed Heads) have both shot even par (72) to take a share of the lead in the Boys Championships division. Hollie Fuller (Grafton) leads the Girls Championship by one stroke over Sienna Clarke (St Michael's).
Fuller posted a solid round with three birdies, finishing two over par, 73. The Grafton local navigated the tight Ballina fairways and gave herself opportunities throughout the round.
Clarke is only one shot back in the girls division, already with two Junior Masters titles to her name this year, the St Michael's junior will push Fuller all the way in search of a third.
The competition will be strong for the boys division tomorrow, with eight boys within five shots of the two overnight leaders.
Sam Cascio, fell short at Ocean Shores in the NSW Junior Championships but will want to continue his form in the Junior Masters Series, claiming victory in his last start at Macarthur. Cascio and Ben Adams both carded three birdies on their way to even par, 72. The duo will have a stacked leaderboard closely breathing down their necks as they tee off tomorrow morning.
Play begins at 6:45am with another sunny day forecast for the final round.
Round 2 Tee Times - Presented by Tour Tee
Strong Field Set to Shine in Ballina
(2:00pm - Saturday 8th July 2023)
The Northern Rivers will be treated to another long list of talented golfers who are set to challenge for a Junior Masters title over the next two days. Ballina Golf Club will host the Junior Masters Series with many golfers from interstate and across NSW extending their stay after the NSW Junior Championship to compete in another Jack Newton event.
An opportunity opens for many to claim a Junior Masters title with 2022 Boys Champion Coby Carruthers now 18 and Girls Champion Rachel Lee, not present this year.
Many young aspiring golfers will tee it up in conjunction with the Junior Masters on Sunday in their own 5 and 9 hole competitions. A great tradition for the Ballina Junior Masters with junior who come through the ranks and will have an Junior Masters to look forward to further down the track.
Round 1 Tee Times - Presented by Tour Tee
Tee Times for Round 2 will be seeded, with all players to tee off between 6:45am and 7:45am on Monday morning.
